Telstra to bring in staff from interstate

TELSTRA will bring in teams from interstate to help keep its landline, mobile and internet services up and running.

The telco is flying in staff from South Australia and Victoria to assist local crews.

Currently phone exchanges in Capel, Boyanup, Donnybrook and Brookton are out of action because of power outages in those areas.

Area general manager Boyd Brown said the exchanges have back up batteries which would last about eight hours.

`` We are currently working to install generators and replace back up batteries, and prioritising emergency requirements for hospitals, etc’’ he said.

Mr Brown said there were widespread impacts on services around the South West and the mobile network was also coping with some congestion due to the number of fixed line and broadband services affected.

`` Hopefully the storms expected tomorrow are not as severe as anticipated, and power supplies are restored, as damage to our infrastructure is minimal with the key issue being the provision of power to the sites,’’ Mr Brown said.